NEWS AND FEATURES
Assault on US Capitol dismays United Methodists
WASHINGTON (UM News) — United Methodists both near and far were disturbed by the actions of a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The Rev. Alisa Lasater Wailoo texted into the early morning hours with Capitol Hill United Methodist Church members who had been under siege at the building. A UM News staff report.
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COVID-19 is top church story of 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The church's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was voted the top United Methodist news story of 2020 by conference communicators in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Philippines and UM News staff. Jim Patterson reports.
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Missionaries cope with coronavirus challenges
ATLANTA (UM News) — Travel bans and fear of COVID-19 complicated the service of United Methodist missionaries in 2020. Recruiting for the 2021 class has started, but a smaller number will be chosen, and it remains to be seen if they'll be able to travel to their assignments. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Migrants looking to Biden for immigration reform
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (UM News) — President-elect Joe Biden promised immigration reforms during his presidential campaign. Migrants are writing to him asking that he keep those promises. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Church puts love into action amid pandemic
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — As the coronavirus pandemic, prolonged droughts and economic deterioration leave millions facing unprecedented hunger on the African continent, members of The United Methodist Church are stepping in to care for children, seniors and other vulnerable communities. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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California-Pacific Conference
UMVIM team completes work in wildfire response
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. — A California-Pacific United Methodist Volunteers in Mission team recently aided survivors of the Woolsey Fire at Seminole Springs Mobile Home Park by building a stairway for one resident. The mobile home park was essentially wiped out, losing over 100 homes. The Cal-Pac Disaster Response Task Force has been involved with recovery work in the area for the past two years.
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Florida Conference
Florida churchgoers answer Epiphany's call
LAKELAND, Fla. — In The United Methodist Church, Epiphany marks the Magi's arrival to visit and honor the Christ child. And just as that visit helped make Christ's light manifest in the world, Florida United Methodists are answering the call to share that light by going out into the world to serve. Joe Henderson has the story.
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Read Ask The UMC: How do United Methodists celebrate Epiphany?
Missouri Conference
Mobility cart production ready to ramp up
COLUMBIA, Mo. — With a new, larger building, Mobility Worldwide plans to ramp up production of hand-cranked mobility carts to 50 a week. The carts aid victims of polio or land mines. Gary Moreau, executive director of the effort supported by many United Methodists, said the previous high was 35 carts each week. More than 200 volunteers work on the carts weekly.
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USA Today
Man charged in fatal shooting at church
WINONA, Texas — A Jan. 3 shooting at Starrville Methodist Church left the pastor dead and two others wounded. Authorities charged a 21-year-old man with capital murder and assault and said he had hidden in the East Texas church overnight after fleeing police. Bishop Scott Jones said Starrville Methodist left the United Methodist denomination some decades back. He urged prayers for the congregation. Ryan W. Miller reports.
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Indianapolis Star
Bishop voices concern over Black woman's care
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Conference Bishop Julius C. Trimble said he is concerned about the experience of Dr. Susan Moore, a Black woman who described receiving inadequate care at a hospital in the IU Health system before dying of COVID-19. Trimble, who also wrote an op-ed published in the Indianapolis Star, is a member of the IU Health Board of Directors. Ryan Martin reports.
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Read Bishop Trimble's op-ed
New England Conference
Singing in the parking lot choir
WORCESTER, Mass. — For the choir members at Wesley United Methodist Church, singing in their cars means singing together — in real time — without online lag times or the risk of spreading COVID-19.
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South Carolina Conference
Columbia church building sold
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina is buying the building of Greene Street United Methodist Church for $1.1 million. The church, which averages about 20 worshippers on Sundays, may buy a new building, but a definite decision has not been made on how to use the proceeds. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Houston Chronicle
Anne Hearn, bishop's wife, dies at 89
GALVESTON, Texas — Elizabeth Anne Hearn, wife of the late Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn, died Dec. 17 at 89. She was laid to rest Jan. 2 in Ruston, Louisiana, next to her husband of 68 years. Because of COVID-19, the family plans a memorial service at a later date when it is safe to gather.
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Pacific Northwest Conference
$100,000 UMCOR grant will aid wildfire relief
DES MOINES, Wash. — Recovery efforts from devastating wildfires in the state of Washington will be ramped up significantly in 2021 due to a $100,000 recovery grant the Pacific Northwest Conference received from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. "This sets us solidly on the path to do some significant work and we just feel blessed," said Dana Bryson, co-disaster response coordinator. Kristen Caldwell reports.
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Group funds disaster relief grants
PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
Examining moral questions on COVID-19 vaccines
GENEVA — The World Council of Churches and the World Jewish Congress have released a joint paper laying out moral questions for religious leaders and organizations to raise in policy discussions around the COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
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Read paper
The Nyadire Connection
'Cash for Clinics' exceeds match
NYADIRE, Zimbabwe — The "Cash for Clinics" challenge to match a $25,000 grant from The United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania exceeded the goal, raising more than enough money to claim the match. The Nyadire Connection has collaborated with the United Methodist Mission in Nyadire to rebuild four of six rural clinics. These funds will go toward the renovation of a fifth clinic.
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United Theological Seminary
Seminary establishes multiethnic-ministry program
DAYTON, Ohio — United Theological Seminary, in cooperation with the Mosaix Global Network, has established the Mosaix House of Studies to prepare students to build and lead healthy multiethnic and economically diverse, culturally intelligent, socially just and financially sustainable churches.
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RESOURCES
Council of Bishops
Resources available for Christian unity week
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops invites United Methodists to join with fellow Christians in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Jan. 18-25. The theme this year is "Abide in My Love … You Shall Bear Much Fruit."
Read press release
World Council of Churches resources
More resources
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation
Higher education scholarships available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. Through March 1, students are invited to apply for more than $2 million in funds available to help pay for attending colleges, universities or seminaries related to The United Methodist Church.
See media resources
To apply
United Methodist Publishing House
Webinar series helps prepare for Lent
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Revs. Magrey deVega, Adam Hamilton and Susan Robb will lead a webinar series to help church leaders prepare Bible studies for Lent, which starts Feb. 17 this year. "A Season of Reflection: Lenten Studies to Prepare for Easter's Celebrations" will be at 2 p.m. U.S. Central time Jan. 12-14.
To learn more and register
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